MP David Lidington reacts to Savile report findings

Aylesbury MP David Lidington has given his reaction to today’s report on Jimmy Savile’s abuse at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

Mr Lidington said ‘it was appalling what happened’ but added he was ‘reassured’ by changes made there.

He said: “My first reaction is that it is appalling what happened.

“The most shocking thing for me is reading that one of the victims did make a formal complaint and no action was taken.

“I think that is inexcusable.

“My kids were born at Stoke Mandeville and members of my family have been patients there and it makes you shudder what went on.”

Mr Lidington said it was good that things were changing for the better but sounded a note of caution.

He said: “It is reassuring though that things started to change during the 90s through a combination of more localised management of hospitals and the fact that the control and freedom that he had was challenged.

“It is also reassuring that the inquiry ran a rule over the hospital’s processes and systems and the way they handle complaints is now a higher standard compared to when you look back.

“We will never totally get rid of wicked individuals who want to break rules so we must guard against complacency and continue to offer a high quality of protection for patients.”

Mr Lidington, who has been the town’s MP since 1992, said he had never met the disgraced former BBC DJ, who died in 2011.

He said: “I have never had a conversation with him but I do remember being at one event with him which was the opening of the new children’s ward by Lady Tebbit about ten years ago.

“I can’t remember if I shook his hand or not.

“I never heard any whispers that he was dodgy and I never had any constituents come to me making accusations about him either.”